Chapter 57: I Must Beg My Fourth Sister

Two Peaks, Little Window Peak.

Little Yiyi, the sea of plateau trees you wished to find in your dream paper, I have found it for you.

The name you’ve forgotten, I have remembered it for you.

He is the one who created the ten bends of azure waters.

He is the one who created the thousand-needle brilliance technique.

He is the one who led Little Window Peak to strength.

His name is Little Window, Bian Xiaochuang.

“Where is everyone?” The Seventh Princess looked around; only a single sheep remained, its white wool so soiled it was almost black.

“Dream Paper is not the real world. They’ve disappeared.”

“But my injury is real,” she said.

“I know, because the spiritual energy here is real,” Gu Yi replied, stepping closer to inspect her wound. “How’s your arm?”

“It’s nothing… I can handle it myself.” She shrank back, a little more bashful than when they first met.

Girls are like this, Gu Yi thought, and did not press her. Instead, he said, “I saw a lake over there. It’s very clear. Let’s go sit by the lake. I know you want my explanation.”

She listened.

As for her wound, she used a healing charm she had written herself. It wouldn’t heal instantly, but it could stop the bleeding.

At the foot of the snowy mountain, sunlight bathed the land. It was as if winter reigned above, while spring blossomed below.

This patch of land between the peaks was a level plain, dotted with lakes set like jewels in a sea of grass. When the wind swept by, the grass rolled in golden waves.

“Seventh Princess, what is your real name? You must also realize that, though this is not the real world, Two Peaks and Xu Kingdom are enemies. It’s dangerous for me to keep calling you ‘princess’.”

One’s true name was not to be spoken lightly, and the girl was still somewhat embarrassed by his earlier words.

But his reasoning was sound.

The Seventh Princess brushed her hair aside and bit her lip, not daring to meet Gu Yi’s gaze. “My name is Tianyu.”

Yin Tianchang, Yin Tianyu.

Gu Yi was tempted to poke fun at the royal family’s naming sense.

After a few paces, they found a place to sit down.

In fact, his theory that the world was veiled by a layer of window gauze was confirmed by this journey.

Those three from Two Peaks possessed formidable strength, far different from the proper people of Xu Kingdom.

But he still didn’t know the reason.

Still, it was progress.

Tianyu settled onto the grassy shore of the lake, needing a brief rest after her recent exertions.

“Tell me about Two Peaks,” she said.

Gu Yi had expected this question.

There was no harm in telling her—it was only the history of Xu Kingdom.

“As I’ve said, Two Peaks was a powerful sect three hundred years ago. It was destroyed in the war between Xu Kingdom and the sects. Now, there’s almost nothing left. The sea of plateau trees is a forbidden phrase in Luyang. So, don’t feel you’ve harmed Xu Kingdom.”

Tianyu’s dark pupils flashed, fixing on him. “But aren’t you one of them?”

“I am not. I know little more about Two Peaks than you do. Until today, I didn’t know that one of the two was Little Window Peak. I entered the Luyang Academy and Dream Paper not to restore Two Peaks’ former glory. I have no interest in that.”

“Why not?”

Gu Yi replied slowly, “Those who steal a hook are executed; those who steal a kingdom become lords. The struggle for power has no absolute good or evil. Xu Kingdom has already won, granting peace to the people. What is the point of reigniting war?”

Tianyu sighed, “If only everyone thought as you do.”

She added, “If only those of Li Kingdom thought the same.”

Gu Yi exhaled deeply. These topics were too weighty for his nature.

“And you?” Tianyu asked. “What is your goal?”

“You ask ten thousand questions.” He stretched and lay back on the grass, suddenly feeling lazy.

“Why won’t you answer?” she pressed.

He folded his hands behind his head and gazed at the white clouds drifting above. “Me? I just want to refine my cultivation, to lift that veil. Maybe taste the delicacies at Imperial Delicacy Pavilion, and if I’m lucky, meet and converse with a princess from another world like you. Isn’t that enough?”

Hearing this, Tianyu suddenly remembered what he’d said before and glanced at him sidelong.

“Though… though I don’t really understand what you’re trying to do,” the Seventh Princess turned away, “I do know that the people of Two Peaks are enemies of Xu Kingdom. I am a princess of Xu Kingdom. I love my people, my father and mother, so… so… even if you like me…”

“…it’s not possible. I cannot marry you. We are not suited to each other.”

“Of course, I just heard you tell those people from Two Peaks that you’d risk your life to save me, the princess of Xu Kingdom. So I know you’re a good man. I believe you’re not a remnant of Two Peaks. When we leave, I’ll ask my fourth sister to spare you. I’ll plead your case.”

Gu Yi picked a dry blade of grass and chewed it. “Didn’t you say you couldn’t persuade your fourth sister?”

“I’ll try my best!” Tianyu insisted, propping her chin on her palm. “You like me, I don’t like you—that’s already hurt you. I can’t let my fourth sister hurt you again. The Yin family can’t always be the ones hurting others.”

This, too, included the harm Xu Kingdom had done to Two Peaks.

Gu Yi’s eyes rolled slyly. Try her best? Then he had to think of a way to make her try even harder.

He said languidly, “Actually, her stabbing me isn’t much—the wound is but flesh. But my liking you, and your rejection, that wounds my heart. That will never heal.”

“Oh!” Tianyu couldn’t bear these words. She jumped to her feet, putting distance between them. “Don’t say such things. You make me feel so guilty. We… we are not suited for each other! Don’t you understand?”

Guilt? If only your kind heart can save my life, then my life depends on you!

Gu Yi spat out the grass from his mouth. Too nonchalant, he thought—it didn’t fit the moment.

“I know. You’re a lofty princess, and I am an ordinary commoner—an unbridgeable gap. I truly don’t deserve you. But when did I ever dare to hope? I only know that just now, I was truly willing to fight for you until I collapsed.”

“We’ve only just met a few hours ago… how can you speak such frivolous nonsense?” Tianyu had never met a man so bold. “You! You! You! Shameless!”

She was flustered—perhaps both angry and embarrassed.

Gu Yi, an old hand at this, was unfazed. He grew even more earnest, “What of the shortness of acquaintance? That’s what they call love at first sight! Maybe I’m being forward, but how many chances will I have in this life to meet a princess?”

“You can call me shameless, but I know your fourth sister is strong. I’m no match for her. Soon, I’ll be dead. If I don’t say these words now, who will I say them to when I’m gone?”

“Tianyu, I am a wanderer. In this life, I’ve crossed many bridges, watched clouds countless times, tasted all manner of wines, but I have only ever loved one person—you.”

Swish!

Tianyu suddenly drew her sword, pointing it at him in fury. “Enough! Say another word and I’ll teach you a lesson!”

You’d kill me?

Heh.

With a flourish, Gu Yi spread his arms and shut his eyes. “Go ahead, stab me! Better to die by your hand than your fourth sister’s!”

“You!” No matter her station, she was still a young girl—how could she contend with a seasoned rogue?

There was nothing for it.

“Oh, just get me out of here. I never want to see you again!”

“That won’t do. Once we leave, it will be my death.”

“It won’t! I promise, I’ll do everything to persuade my fourth sister to spare your life. Is that enough?”

Gu Yi chuckled, but pretended to be diffident. “What if she insists on killing me?”

Tianyu thought hard. “Then… then I’ll tell her you saved my life. One life for another.”

“No, that’s not enough to stop her. You have to say you like me, that you can’t live without me—just as I said to save you earlier.”

“No!” Tianyu was stubborn. “I am a princess. I can’t say such things lightly. Besides, I don’t like you. If I say it too much, you’ll get the wrong idea. Just trust me this once. I’ll do everything I can to protect you.”

Gu Yi considered it and realized he couldn’t push further.

Guilt would do.

“Alright then, but we can’t leave just yet.”

“Why not?” Tianyu was on the verge of collapse. She was truly afraid to stay near Gu Yi any longer and genuinely wanted to leave.

“Because we still haven’t seen the sea of plateau trees.”